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German Chocolate Layer Cake

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German Chocolate Layer Cake
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  • Prep 40 min
  • Total 2 hr 50 min
  • Servings 16
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Looking for an impressive dessert that doesn't take all day? This German Chocolate Layer Cake is the recipe! Three layers of fudgy chocolate cake filled with gooey, sweet coconut-pecan filling make this cake a five-star masterpiece, and you don’t have to take our word for it! More than one reviewers has declared this to be the “best German chocolate cake ever” and we can’t argue! A decadent filling made of butter, sugar, eggs, coconut flakes, pecans, milk and vanilla yields a mixtures so rich, you’ll definitely want to lick the spoon. Top this special-occasion confection with a drizzle of rich and creamy chocolate frosting and watch the rave reviews trickle in, because this cake is destined to be a hit!
Updated Mar 3, 2020

Ingredients

Cake

Filling and Topping

Steps

  • 1
    Heat oven to 350°F. Grease bottoms only of 2 (9-inch) round cake pans with shortening. Make and bake cake mix as directed on box for 9-inch round pans, using water, oil and eggs. Cool 10 minutes. Remove from pans to cooling racks. Cool completely.
  • 2
    In 3-quart heavy saucepan, mix sugar, butter, milk and egg yolks. Heat to simmering over medium heat, stirring frequently. Cook 9 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened. Remove from heat. Stir in coconut, pecans and vanilla. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
  • 3
    Cut each cake layer horizontally into 2 layers. On serving plate, place 1 layer, cut side up. Spread with about 1 1/3 cups filling. Repeat with second and third layers and 2 2/3 cups filling.
  • 4
    With serrated knife, cut remaining cake layer into 1 1/2-inch-wide strips. Cut strips into irregular pieces. Place cake pieces randomly over filling to cover top of cake, pressing gently into cake and fitting snugly together. Refrigerate cake several hours before serving, if desired.
  • 5
    In small microwavable bowl, microwave frosting 10 seconds on High until thin enough to drizzle. Drizzle over top of cake. Store covered in refrigerator.

Tips from the Betty Crocker Kitchens

  • tip 1
    To evenly cut cake layers in half, use a rule to measure halfway up the side of the cake and mark that point with a toothpick. Continue measuring and marking all the way around the cake. Then using the toothpicks as your guide, cut through the cake using a long, thin serrated knife.
  • tip 2
    You can’t go wrong with this cake, but if you’re looking to make a cake completely from scratch, try our beloved German Chocolate Cake.

Nutrition

582 Calories, 36g Total Fat, 6g Protein, 60g Total Carbohydrate

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 Serving
Calories
582
Total Fat
36g
0%
Saturated Fat
13g
0%
Sodium
427mg
0%
Total Carbohydrate
60g
0%
Dietary Fiber
3g
0%
Protein
6g
% Daily Value*:
Vitamin A
0%
0%
Vitamin C
0%
0%
Calcium
0%
0%
Iron
0%
0%
Exchanges:
4 Other Carbohydrate; 7 Fat;
Carbohydrate Choice
4
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
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